The Birdhouse Lady
Drama Llama
Moose. It's what's for dinner.
Posts: 7,326
Location: Alaska -The Last Frontier
Jun 30, 2014 17:15:19 GMT
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Post by The Birdhouse Lady on Feb 24, 2017 18:55:17 GMT
**Update 5/24/17**
Just thought I would give a current update. mom thanks for asking.
Kait had a CT scan last week, exactly 3 months to the day of her heart attack. The results were not what we or the doctor was expecting. Apparently part of her artery has healed completely but another part has not healed at all and is restricting blood flow to her heart. He has referred her to a doctor at the Mayo Clinic that specializes in SCAD (spontaneous coronary artery dissection) she will need to have a procedure to open her artery. Apparently it is not something that this group of doctors want to handle and her doctor said if Kait were his daughter that he would want her to have it done at the Mayo Clinic where they have the best of the best. I am still trying to process all of this information while we wait to hear from the new doctor.
On a lighter note....she is doing great. She said she almost feels normal but she does get tired quicker than she used to. She has her first real boyfriend. He is a sweet boy that treats her like a princess. He knows her limitations and it doesn't seem to bother him in the slightest. If a bunch of kids want to go hiking he wont go because Kaitlyn can't go and they go and do something else.
We are headed out of Alaska in a couple weeks to go to her and her brothers liver doc in Seattle and then we are going on vacation to California to get my sis and head out on a road trip to Portland. This is something Kaitlyn has been looking forward to for months.
**Update 3/7/17**
I have not been around much but wanted to let you all know that she is doing pretty good. She is doing well physically and getting stronger each day. Emotionally she has had a few dark days. I let her cry and she tells me how she is feeling. What she went through would be hard for an adult and with her only being 17 I can't even imagine how scary that must have been.
She went to the cardiologist yesterday and he told her how strong and brave she was. He told her that her most of her restrictions are only temporary. He did switch up a couple of her medications. She is taking a lot of stuff. The side effects of one of her meds is a bloody nose. Annoying for sure but not harmful.
She is transitioning into school (today is her first day) and will try it out 1/2 days to start. Next week is Spring break (even though spring is nowhere in sight!) so that will give her another week to recover.
Her best friend has been such a trooper and keeps her spirits up. Kaitlyn is worried that no one is going to invite her to do anything since she is now fragile and "that kid". I am afraid she is right. We will cross that bridge when we get to it.
I am so proud of they way she has handled this situation. I feel like I have aged 10 years!
We truly appreciate all your prayers, sweet comments, and well wishes. I know some of you asked questions that I have not answered and I apologize for that. We are still learning what all this means for now and in the future.
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original post
I can't even describe how incredibly hard that is to type out.
Last Friday she was doing a crossfit type activity and started experiencing chest pain. She at first thought it was nothing and after resting continued to work out. Then she got crushing chest pain. She texted me in a panic to come pick her up. By the time I got there (about 7 minutes) she was hyperventilating and sweating profusely. Her hands and feet were cramped up and her hands were folded inward like claws. I scooped her up and drove immediately to the ER. I kept telling her to breath and not try and talk, I told her, "Kaitlyn, 17 year olds don't have heart attacks" I thought she was having a panic attack.
We got to the ER and they took her right in. I don't think they thought at first that she was having a heart attack either. After an abnormal EKG and ultra sound they decided that she needed to have an angiogram. They also were giving her aspirin and nitro. I couldn't believe what was happening. When I knew it was something serious I called my husband who was working out of town and tried to calmly let him know what was happening. There is no easy way to say, "Hey honey, Kait is having chest pain and is going to have an angiogram"
The cardiologist told me before they went in that it could be one of three things.
1. A spasm in the artery 2. An infection around the heart caused by a virus. (She had a fever the previous weekend)
Or #3 which is highly unlikely...a torn coronary artery.
When he came out from the procedure he was visibly shaken. She had a tear in her right coronary artery which led to heart attack. WHAT!!! She was then transported to a hospital in Anchorage that has a cardiac unit.
She spent 5 days in the cardiac icu and then onto progressive care.
Her official diagnosis is Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection
They had considered doing surgery to put in a stent but after consulting with the cardiac team they decided that it was too risky and she could have ended up in what they called a full metal jacket or a bypass. They likened her tear to a run in pantyhose and they were afraid that if they went in surgically that the run would have continued down the artery. She is being treated with medications to keep her blood pressure low and her blood thin as to not put any pressure on her heart.
She has been switched over from iv medications to oral. It is just so mind blowing that my sweet healthy girl is now on 5 different kinds of heart meds.
I have never been so scared in my life. For the first few days I was just completely numb and was just trying to be a constant calming and positive influence on my daughter who was so scared and emotional.
She is doing better now. We came home last night. Her life is now changed. She has to rest and can't put any extra pressure on her heart. She can't be in the cold, she can't exercise, she can't dance at prom, she can't yell at basketball games. I have been focusing on the things that she can do and that these restrictions are temporary until she heals. She is gets tired from getting up and walking a lap around the unit. She is upset that just a couple days she was running and now she cant do anything exercise wise. She is strong and young and those things will be on her side.
So much went on I am sure I am leaving out details.
If you are the praying kind we would appreciated prayer and good thoughts coming her way. God has been with her in the good times and the bad.
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scrappyesq
Pearl Clutcher
You have always been a part of the heist. You're only mad now because you don't like your cut.
Posts: 4,060
Jun 26, 2014 19:29:07 GMT
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Post by scrappyesq on Feb 24, 2017 18:57:18 GMT
I am so sorry.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 20, 2024 22:16:00 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2017 18:58:03 GMT
I can't imagine how horribly terrifying that must have been for you all. Sending positive thoughts.
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Post by busy on Feb 24, 2017 18:58:16 GMT
I am so sorry. That must be terrifying for everyone. I hope she heals fully and quickly and never has a recurrence. Your family is in my thoughts.
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Post by andreasmom on Feb 24, 2017 18:58:21 GMT
Prayers.
(((Big hugs))))
Can't begin to imagine the shock and pain of what you are going through. Peas have your back. Please keep us updated.
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
Jun 25, 2014 20:06:48 GMT
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Post by freebird on Feb 24, 2017 18:58:52 GMT
OMG! Do they know what caused the tear? That is terrifying. I'll say a prayer for your sweet girl. I have faith she'll make a great recovery, such a strong girl!
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J u l e e
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,531
Location: Cincinnati
Jun 28, 2014 2:50:47 GMT
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Post by J u l e e on Feb 24, 2017 19:00:14 GMT
I will definitely be praying for her. And for you. How frightening! Who would think our young healthy children could ever have this happen?! I'm so sorry you both had to go through that. May she recover quickly and completely.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 20, 2024 22:16:00 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2017 19:00:56 GMT
I am so sorry for all of you...I can't even imagine how scared you all were/are. I am sending lots of prayers and healing light and hugs.
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rodeomom
Pearl Clutcher
Refupee # 380 "I don't have to run fast, I just have to run faster than you."
Posts: 3,670
Location: Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma
Jun 25, 2014 23:34:38 GMT
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Post by rodeomom on Feb 24, 2017 19:01:22 GMT
Oh my gosh! how scary. Good thoughts coming her way. Hang in there.
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The Birdhouse Lady
Drama Llama
Moose. It's what's for dinner.
Posts: 7,326
Location: Alaska -The Last Frontier
Jun 30, 2014 17:15:19 GMT
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Post by The Birdhouse Lady on Feb 24, 2017 19:01:55 GMT
OMG! Do they know what caused the tear? That is terrifying. I'll say a prayer for your sweet girl. I have faith she'll make a great recovery, such a strong girl! It was caused by extreme exertion during exercise.
She was tested for a condition called fibromuscular dysplasia (I am sure I spelled that wrong) that can cause this, but she doesn't have it.
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Post by KelleeM on Feb 24, 2017 19:02:06 GMT
Oh my goodness. Praying right now for Kaitlyn and you and your dh. Hugs.
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Post by lucyg on Feb 24, 2017 19:03:30 GMT
Holy crap. I'm so sorry but very hopeful for a great outcome. That poor girly! And hugs to you, mom.
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MaryMary
Pearl Clutcher
Lazy
Posts: 2,975
Jun 25, 2014 21:56:13 GMT
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Post by MaryMary on Feb 24, 2017 19:03:39 GMT
How terrifying! I am so sorry.
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casii
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,517
Jun 29, 2014 14:40:44 GMT
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Post by casii on Feb 24, 2017 19:03:48 GMT
I was in a panic reading your post. Prayers for her and your family. Can the 'run' heal or is this a life-long concern?
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River
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,573
Location: Alabama
Jun 26, 2014 15:26:04 GMT
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Post by River on Feb 24, 2017 19:05:35 GMT
Oh WOW! I'm so sorry to read this. I can't imagine how scary that was for all of you, and to have your DH out of town in the beginning. I'm so glad to read that she is improving! It will be difficult for her at first because she will focus on the things she can't do. You are doing a great job by changing her focus to things she can do now and will be able to do later.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
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valincal
Drama Llama
Southern Alberta
Posts: 5,760
Jun 27, 2014 2:21:22 GMT
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Post by valincal on Feb 24, 2017 19:05:43 GMT
Oh my gosh...how frightening for all of you! I hope Kaitlyn is on the mend and feeling better very soon. Take care.
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Post by hdoublej on Feb 24, 2017 19:06:24 GMT
I can't even imagine how frightened you all must have been! Prayers for quick healing and a full recovery. Keep us updated.
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Post by papersilly on Feb 24, 2017 19:06:25 GMT
i'm so sorry she went through this. at least she is home and resting.
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ginacivey
Pearl Clutcher
refupea #2 in southeast missouri
Posts: 4,685
Jun 25, 2014 19:18:36 GMT
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Post by ginacivey on Feb 24, 2017 19:08:44 GMT
holy shit!
how absolutely terrifying for all of you!
i'll be praying for a quick and complete healing of your daughter's heart
and that yours heals quickly as well
i know you are hurting as well
gina
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Feb 24, 2017 19:08:56 GMT
OMG. How scary. I hope she gets better soon.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Feb 24, 2017 19:09:51 GMT
How scary! I can't imagine going through that. Praying that she heals quickly.
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Post by Katie on Feb 24, 2017 19:10:33 GMT
How terrifying for you all!! So glad she is ok and received good care right away. Will be thinking of you all and send prayers!
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Post by jenjie on Feb 24, 2017 19:11:12 GMT
Oh my goodness! I can't even begin to imagine what went through your head. Thank God they were able to find out what was wrong and treat it! So scary! Praying for your Kaitlyn and for you. Big hugs mama you did great!
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Post by cmhs on Feb 24, 2017 19:11:12 GMT
OMG! That's terrifying. Praying for her!
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Post by terri on Feb 24, 2017 19:12:18 GMT
I can't begin to imagine how scary this must have been for both of you. I'm so sorry this happened. My prayers are with her as she recovers. Sending giant hugs your way.
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Post by ilikepink on Feb 24, 2017 19:12:24 GMT
OMG-How shocking! I'm glad she's better; my prayers for your family that you all may heal and find the new normal for her.
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Post by terri on Feb 24, 2017 19:12:50 GMT
I can't begin to imagine how scary this must have been for both of you. I'm so sorry this happened. My prayers are with her as she recovers. Sending hugs your way.
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oh yvonne
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,062
Jun 26, 2014 0:45:23 GMT
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Post by oh yvonne on Feb 24, 2017 19:14:55 GMT
I have been reading your post with my hand over my mouth in horror, and tears welling in my eyes! Oh sweet BHL, I'm so sorry, this is horrific, who would have known!
Oh, I surely am a prayerful Pea, my heart, my prayers go out to your sweet girl! Oh my gosh, how scary, how wrenching to read this, let alone go through it.
God bless you, momma, I pray for you too. Oh, give that precious daughter of yours a hug..another and another from me.
She will get better, her heart will heal, in JN I pray.
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Post by annabella on Feb 24, 2017 19:15:20 GMT
I'm so sorry! I recently watched a segment on the news of a healthy woman in her 40s who had a heart attack, which led her to discover that her whole family had heart disease as her brothers got tested after her hospitalization. I tried googling to find the story but couldn't find it, but found a similar one.
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Post by littlemama on Feb 24, 2017 19:16:06 GMT
Oh my gosh, that must have been so terrifying for all of you. Prayers for a smooth recovery for her
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